Decorated Trees for the Festive Season

It’s interesting to see the civic responses to decorating public spaces at this time of year. Some Christmas trees work well for their locations. Down on Ipswich Waterfront the tree elegantly adds seasonal spirit to its setting whether it’s a drab December day or a winter sunset.

And some Christmas trees simply brighten the mundane places for all those travelling at this time of year.

Ipswich Railway Station

However, some trees are magnificent in their own right only to have their charm reduced by a cluttered civic space that should have been spectacular. It is disappointing that the lovely tree in the newly revamped Ipswich Cornhill is being obscured by a large temporary marquee (which I have tried not include in the photograph). I see from our local paper that I am not the only one to consider this set-up a disappointing mess.

Of course, most Christmas trees are in people’s homes and it’s been seven years since I have had a tree at home. I think it’s probably because it will be my first Christmas in this old house and the Victorian bay is such an obvious and familiar setting for a decorated tree.

It was a little walk down memory lane as I unwrapped the forgotten ornaments for the first time in seven years. I have some of my mother’s decorations and memories of family Christmases with my mother and my grandparents filled the room along with intermittent showers of glitter and the scent of pine.

What a lovely nook for your tree. We decided against one this year. In fact I took it, and some of the decorations, to the Salavation Army op shop last week. I kept the special ornaments though, such as the pretty shell angels we bought back from Hawaii, and some shell and twine ornaments from the Marshall Islands. This missionaries sure cast their nets wide! We also have some delicate balls from Poland. All still sitting in their box this year. The apartment is cluttered with objects from my brother (who passed earlier this year) . I have 500 books stacked in my hallway.

Ah so sorry to hear of your brother, always a difficult time the first Christmas after a bereavement. Christmas is a strange and awkward time at the best of times. Personally I am already feeling less than positive about it all and it’s not even Christmas Eve yet. I love the sound of your global decorations and I think keeping a small box of family ones to pass on is good, and I read many older people are no longer doing the tree thing. Here, for those that can afford it, it’s a time to fly somewhere else!!!! Wishing you a merry time with the 500 books – what a special legacy to an author.

I’ve kept about 60 of the books and am doing my very best to put the remainder into the hands of people I know who hold a similar special interest. Some have gone to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society. Ultimately though, the remainder may need to go to the next big book fair of St Vincents de Paul and at least I know they raise much needed charity funds from that event. I am also working through his coin collection at the moment. It’s extremely eclectic. It will have to go to auction, I feel. Then I can start on the next tranche of collectibles . . .